Chronological vs Functional vs Hybrid CV – Which Is Best?

There are several types of CV formats used worldwide, and new variations continue to emerge. However, the chronological, functional, and hybrid (combination) CVs remain the most popular and widely accepted by employers. Understanding how each format works and when to use it will help you select the option that best supports your career goals.

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In this CV formats comparison, we’ll break down how each type works, their pros and cons, and how to decide which one suits your situation best.

What Is a Chronological CV?

A chronological CV (also known as a reverse-chronological CV) is the most traditional and commonly used format. It lists work experience in reverse order, starting with your most recent role and working backwards. More on reverse-chronological order here.

Key features

• Work experience is the main focus
• Jobs are listed in reverse chronological order
• Education, skills (and any other sections) follow after experience
• Clear timeline of career progression

Pros

• Easy for recruiters to scan and understand
• Shows career growth and stability
• Preferred by most employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS)

Cons

• Highlights career gaps
• Less effective if you’re changing careers
• Not ideal for candidates with limited experience

Chronological CV Example

Adebayo John
Operations Manager
📞 +234 803 456 7821
✉️ [email protected]
🔗 linkedin.com/in/adebayojohn

Professional Summary

Operations Manager with 7+ years of experience overseeing logistics, fleet coordination, and vendor management in high-volume environments. Proven ability to improve delivery timelines and operational efficiency.

Work Experience

Operations Manager 2021-03-01 – 2025-11-31
SwiftHaul Logistics, Lagos, Nigeria

• Managed daily operations for a fleet of 40+ delivery vehicles
• Reduced delivery delays by 18% through route optimisation
• Coordinated third-party vendors and internal teams

Operations Supervisor 2018-06-01 – 2021-02-28
TransMove Services, Lagos, Nigeria

• Supervised warehouse and dispatch operations
• Implemented inventory tracking systems that reduced losses

Education

M.Sc. Operations & Supply Chain Management 2019-09-01 – 2021-07-30
Lagos Business School, Nigeria

B.Sc. Business Administration 2014-09-01 – 2018-06-30
University of Lagos, Nigeria

Certifications

Project Management Fundamentals 2020-05-15
Alison

Skills

Operations Management, Vendor Coordination, Process Improvement, Team Leadership

What Is a Functional CV?

A functional CV focuses on skills rather than job titles and dates. Instead of listing your work experience chronologically, it groups your abilities into skill categories.

Key features

• Skills are the main section
• Work history is brief and often listed at the end
• Emphasises what you can do, not where you worked

Pros

• Great for career changers
• Highlights transferable skills
• Minimises employment gaps or short-term roles
• Allows flexibility in presenting work experience

Cons

• Less familiar to many recruiters
• Can raise red flags if work history is unclear
• Can look suspicious or vague
• Not ATS-friendly in many cases

Functional CV Example

Naledi Jacobs
Remote Customer Support Specialist
📞 +27 71 894 3321
✉️ [email protected]
🔗 linkedin.com/in/naledijacobs

Professional Profile

Customer support professional with strong communication and problem-solving skills, experienced in remote and in-office support roles.

Skills

Customer Support & Communication

• Resolved 60+ customer queries daily across email and live chat
• Maintained customer satisfaction ratings above 95%

CRM & Technical Tools

• Zendesk, Freshdesk, HubSpot
• Ticket escalation and reporting

Problem Resolution

• Handled billing disputes and service complaints
• Reduced repeat issues through proactive follow-ups

Employment History

Customer Support Agent (Hybrid) 2019-02-01 – 2023-12-31
RetailConnect SA, Johannesburg

Education

National Diploma in Marketing 2016-02-01 – 2018-11-14
University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Certifications

Customer Service Excellence 2021-08-06
Udemy

Languages

English (Fluent), Zulu (Native)

What Is a Hybrid (Combination) CV?

A hybrid CV combines elements of both types of CV formats discussed above. It typically begins with a strong skills summary, followed by a reverse chronological work history section. This format allows candidates to showcase relevant skills upfront while still providing a clear employment timeline.

Key features

• Strong skills section at the top
• Followed by reverse-chronological experience
• Flexible format

Pros

• Balanced presentation of skills and experience
• Flexible and highly customisable
• Works well for targeted job applications
• Great for modern job markets

Cons

• Can be slightly longer than other formats
• Requires careful organisation to avoid clutter

Hybrid CV Example

Peter Karanja
Digital Marketing Manager
📞 +254 712 556 901
✉️ [email protected]
🔗 linkedin.com/in/peterkaranja

Professional Summary

Digital Marketing Manager with over 6 years of experience driving online growth through paid advertising, content strategy, and analytics for African startups.

Skills

SEO, Google Ads, Meta Ads, Content Strategy, Email Marketing, Analytics

Work Experience

Digital Marketing Manager 2022-01-10 – 2025-09-11
SavannaTech Solutions, Nairobi, Kenya

• Managed ad budgets exceeding KSh 1.5M monthly
• Increased website traffic by 40% year-on-year

Digital Marketing Executive
BrandLift Africa, Nairobi, Kenya 2018-08-01 – 2021-12-27

• Planned and executed digital campaigns for 10+ brands
• Managed influencer marketing partnerships

Education

B.A. Marketing 2014-09-01 – 2018-06-13
University of Nairobi, Kenya

Certifications

Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate 2021-06-15
Google

Tools

Google Analytics, SEMrush, Mailchimp, Canva

Chronological vs Functional vs Hybrid – Side-by-Side Comparison

Here is a tabular comparison of the three most popular types of CV out there:

Which Is Best for You?

The best format to use among the above types of CV depends on your experience, career goals, and the role you’re applying for.

A chronological CV is best if:

• You have consistent work experience
• You’re staying in the same field
• You want maximum ATS compatibility

A functional CV is best if:

• You’re changing careers
• You have significant employment gaps
• You want to emphasise skills over roles

A hybrid CV is best if:

• You want the safest modern option
• You have strong skills and experience
• You’re applying for competitive or international roles

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding this CV formats comparison allows you to tailor your application and present your strengths in the most effective way possible.